Apparatus for removing chemicals prom solids and semisolids



Nov. 24,1925. 1,562,880

A. F. FRAME. mmnnus ron'nsuovme CHEMICALS Enom soups Ann smsomns Filed Nav. 14. 1921 s sheets-sheet 1 Y f r mmm,

Nov. 24l 1925. 1,562,880

A. F. FRAME APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CHEMICALS FROM SOLIDS AND SEMISOLIDS Filed Nov. 14, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 24,1925. 1,562.88()

A. F. FRAME Y APARATUS FOR REMOVING CHEMICALS FROM SOLIDS AND SEMISOLIDS Filed NOV. 14, 1921 3 Sheels-Sheeil 3 $57.. 4 3..

Patented Nov. 24,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANISE F. FRAME, 0F SOUTH CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CHEMCALS FROM SOLIDS AND SEMISOLIDS.

Application filed November 14, 1921.

{cals from Solids and Semisolids, of. which the following is a speclh'cation.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improven'ients in an apparatus for extracting chemicals from solids and semi-solids and has for its primary object the provision of an apparatus of the character stated which will be especially designed for extracting alcohol from wood and the like without a n'iixture of the dust within the extracted chemicals.

The invention has for an object the provision of an apparatus similar to a retort and constructed in such a manner that alcon hol may be readily extracted from wood fed into and working through the cylinder of the apparatus in powdered form without the powdered material mixing with the extracted alcohol vapor and passing from the cylinder with said vapor.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an apparat-us of the character set forth which will `include a staionary inclined cylinder mounted in a proper supporting structure and having an automatically cooled feeding` screw working in the lower portion of the inclined cylinder to carry through the cylinder the powdered material from which the chemical is to be extracted under influence of the heat directed to the lower side of the cylinder from the burners positioned beneath the same and within the supportingl structure for the cylinder.

The invent-ion has for a still further ohiect the provision of an apparatus of the character stated in which the operative parts may be readily controlled and the feeding screw prevented from overheating and thereby interferingwith proper opera-- tion of the apparatus.

The .invention has for still another ob.- ject the provision of an apparatus of the character stated in which may be included automatic feeding means to feed the 1naterial into the upper portion of the cylinder and at the same time maintain an airtight enclosure between this prinfiary feeding mechanism and the lstationary cylinder to of i Serial No. 515,125.

prevent the extracted chemicals or vapors from passing back to the feed hopper.

'.I'he invention has for a still further object the provision of an apparatus of the 0 character' set forth in which the extracted chemicals in the form of vapors may be properly discharged from the cylinder and conducted to the condenser in a pure form and without carrying a dust or powder 55 from the cylinder.

lith the Vforegoing and other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of cooperating' elements as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in thc accompanyingl drawings forrning a part of the present application and 7 in which Figure l is a side elevation of the complete apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus.

Figure S) is an end elevation, looking at the rear or upper end of the apparatus.

Figure '4; is a vertical sectional detail view onau enlarged scale7 substantially on the plane of line 4 4 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of line 5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6' is la detail sectional view substantially on the plane of line G--G of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional detail view showing the mounting of the forward or lower end of the feed screw.

Figure 8 is a similar view, showing the mounting of the upper end of the feed screw and the pulley carried by the extended upper rear end of said 'feed screw.

Figure E) is a detail sect-ion, showing the structure of the discharge end of the apparatus. y

Referring more in detail to the drawings m in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, l indicates the supporting base which may be of concrete or any other suitable construction and upon which is mounted a supporting structure 2 of' brick,

concrete or any other form for enclosing and properly supporting 'thejforwardly and (itl downwardly inclined stationary cylinder 3 and extended longitudinally therethrough, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Figure 5 will also show clearly that the structure 3 includes pillars 4 for the cylinder 3 to rest upon. These pillars 4 may be located at the ends of the structure 2 or at any other suitable points therein. Extending longitudinally of the space 5 in the lower portion of the supporting structure 2, are the burner carrying tubes 6 connecting with a gas supply pipe 7 or the like extended through one end of the supporting structure 2 for feeding combustible fuel to the burners 8 mounted on the burner carrying rods 6. Each rod 6 carries a plurality of burners positioned beneath the opposite side portions of the cylinder 3, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. The purpose of arranging the dourners in this manner will presently appear. It will also be seen that the burner carrying tubes 6 are inclined to correspond with the incline of the stationary cylinder 3. This cylinder 3 has a closed upper end 9 and a removable lower end 10. The cylinder 3 also has an inlet opening 11 on one side, preferably below the center thereof and near the upper end of the cylinder 3. An upwardly directed chemical liquid or fuel conducting pipe l2 .is also carried near the upper end of the cylinder 3 and leads to a condenser, not shown. A discharge tube 13 depends from the .lower end portion of the cylinder 3, outwardly of the supporting structure 2, to discharge the waste product or by product of the apparatus from this end of the cylinder 3, as will be readily understood by referring to the drawings.

For feeding material through the cylinder 3, a screw feed shaft 14 is; provided and extending through the bottom or lower portion of the cylinder 3 and through the ends 9 and 10 thereof. This shaft carries the spiral feed screw 15 working in the lowermost portion of the cylinder 3 and extending the entire length thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The shaft 14 has its upper end extended into the stationary bearing 16 carried on the upper shaft supporting standard 17. This upper end of the shaft 14 is adapted to rotate within the stationary bearing 16 and carries a rigid belt wheel 18 spaced between the bearing .16 and the spacing collar 19, asshown in Fig. 8. The beveled wheel 18 may be keyed to the shaft 14 or secured thereon in any other suitable and well known manner and is adapted to be driven to cause rotation of the shaft 14, by means of a drive belt 20 extended around said belt wheel 18. A suitable packing member 21 may be carried by the upper end 9 of the cylinder', around the upper end portion of the hollow shaft 14 to forni an airtight connection` at this peintl Suitable packing' members 22 may also be located in the stationary bearing 16 between the ends of the shaft 14 and the water pipe section 23. This water pipe section 23 has one end curved and extended into.. the stationary bearing 16, as shown in Fig. 8 so as to provide for the feeding of water or other cooling fluid through the hollow shaft 14, as will be later clearly understood. The opposite or lower end of the shaft 14 is shown as being slightly reduced and extended through the bearing sleeve or collar 10 carried by the lower removable head 10 of the cylinder 3. This sleeve or collar 10 has a bearing cup or similar member 24 threaded thereon or secured thereto in any other suitable and well known manner. This member 24 is provided for holding the turned end of the water pipe section 25 having communication with the lower end of the shaft 14, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Suitable packing members 26 may also be provided. in the member 24 at the ends of the shaft 10 and the pipe section 25. It will be evi-- dent that the pipe sections 23 and 25 may be connected with any lsuitable source of supply and discharge for the cooling fluid so as to provide for a continual How of the cooling fluid through the hollow shaft 14 to keep this feed screw carrying shaft and the screw formed thereon from becoming overheated during operation of the device. and thereby increase the efficiency thereof. In order to feed the material into the stationary cylinder 3, T have provided a feed member 27 of conventional form and having its reduced lower end mounted on a fuel conveying tube 2S extended substantially parallel with the stationary cylinder 3 and connecting with a second tube 29 at a right angle thereto and of a larger diameter. The tube 2S connects with the tube 29 near the outer end of the latter while the inner end of the, tube 29 extends into the side of the stationary cylinder 3, adjacent the upper end thereof and preferably forwardly or ahead of the vapor projecting pipe 12. The hopper 27, pipes 28 and 29 are also located nea-r the lower side of the stationary cylinder 3 and in a plane slightly above the plane of the feed screw shaft 14 and spiral feed screw 15 of the stationary cylinder Suitable supporting and bracing means may be provided for the tube 2S and the tube 29 as well as the hopper 27, as shown at 30 in Figs. 1, 4 and 6. It is also to be noted that a spiral feed screw 31 extends practically the entire length of the tube 28 to feed the material deposited therein from the hopper 27 to the tube 29, as shown clearly iu Fig.. 6, as well as Fig. 4. The shaft 32 of the feed screw 31 extends out of the cuter end of the tube 28 and has a pulley or belt wheel 33 mounted thereon te be operated by a belt 34 extended around the same, as shown clearly iu the drawings. This will provide for a continual feeding ot the material to the tube Q9.

As means` tor Afeeding properly the inaterial or fuel through the tube 29 and into the stationary cylinder 8, l have provided a plunger working in the greater portion o1 the tube 2S) and passing opposite the end ot the tube 28 on each stroke, thereby forcing the material or Yfuel into the cylinder 3, as shown in Fig. l ot' the drawings. The plunger 25 is operated by the pitinan rod 36 connected thereto in a suitable n'ianner, as shown in the drawings and also connected with the crank portion 37 et the cank shaft 38 mounted in suitable bearing and supporting means as shown in Fig. t. The crank shatt 238 carries a suitable belt wheel it() with the driving belt l1 extended around the saine to operate the crank shaft and thereby reciprocate the plunger S5 within the tube 29. lt is evident that by 'feeding the fuel into the stationary cyliiuler 2? in this manner, it will be impossible Ytor air or to pass into or out of the lstationary cylinder S by way ot the feed tube 29.

ly roter-ring to Fig. S) ot the drawings, it will bc seen that the cross 'pipe l2 is mounted on the depending' discharge pipe 123. at the lower end ot' the latter and the discharge plunger l-i reciprocates in the cross pipe beneath the pipe 13. This plunger or piston l-S is operated by the pitman arm -iet pivotally connected therewith and carried by the crank portion of the crank shaft 1-(i. This crank shatt L1G ,is mounted in suitable bearings at one end ol the cross pipe and carries a belt wheel or pulley et? operated by the belt 18 extended therearoinul and connected with any suitable source ol power, not shown. It is evident that the plunger or piston i3 will serve lo 'torce thc l)y-}nocliict or vaste product 'trom the discharge end ot the cross pipe without permitting` air to enter the cylinder i? by.' way ot the discharge pipe 13.

From the iloregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the complete construction and operation ot the apparatus may be readily understood without 'tui-ther detailed description. 1t may be stated, however, that the various driving belts may be connected with any suitable source ot power to properly drive the shafts oi? the apparatus. lt is also evident that the supply ot 'tuel to the burners on the burner pipe may be readily regulated so as to provide ttor the proper heating ot the contents ot the stationary cylinder 3. 'he passage ot water or other cooling fluid through the hollow feed screw shaft 14 will prevent overheating and bending of this shalt and the feed screw lt while working the Jfuel or other material towards the lower end ot the stationary cylinder 3. By providing a stationary cylinder 3 and the feed screw 15 in the lower portion thereof with the other parts arranged as described, the chemicals extracted 'trom the 'fuel during the operation olf the apparatus, in the 'torni of Yapors or gases may readily pass through the pipe 12 to the condenser', not shown, without carrying therewith portions of the fuel in partially consumed or powder form or in any other form. It is therefore evident that pure vapors or gases may be obained by the use ot this apparatus while the used fuel or material may be discharged trom the stationary cylinder 3 by means ot the discharge pipe 13, as will be apparent by referring to Figs. 1 and 2 ot' the drawings. By reference to Fig. 9, it will also be evident that the material after passing through the cylinder 3 may loe discharged therefrom without danger of air entering the discharge end ot the cylinder 3.

lWhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor cnanges in the details ot' construction and arrangement ot parts may be resorted Ato within the scope ot what is claimed without departing from the spirit ot the invention.

ldlhat I claim is ein apparatus o'i the class described, a stationary cylinder, a rotatable feed screw working in the lower portion of said cylinder and extending loi'igitudinally thereof, a supporting structure tor said cylinder, a -feed hopper, a plurality ot feed pipes connected to one another, one ot said pipes receiving material from the hopper, another oit said pipes serving to deliver the material to the upper end portion ot the :teed screw within said stationary cylinder,A the lirst mentioned pipe connecting with the central portion or' the second mentioned. pipe, a

spiral operating feed screw extending through said lirst mentioned pipe to provide tor a constant feeding ol: the material to the second pipe, means ttor operating the last mentioned feed screw, a reciprocating leeding mechanism in the second mentioned pipe to cut oil eon'imunication between the virst and second mentioned pipes as the material is forced into said cylinder, and means ttor operating' the reciprocating feeding mechanism.

ln testimony whereof l aiiix my signature.

ANISE F. FRAME. 

